3. INTRODUCTION
The three-language formula is a language learning policy first formulated
in 1968 by the Ministry of Education of the Government of India in
consultation with the states.
● The first recommendation for a three-language policy was made by
the University Education Commission in 1948/1949, which did not find
the requirement to study three languages to be an extravagance,
citing the precedents of other multilingual nations such as Belgium
and Switzerland.
● While accepting that Modern Standard Hindi was itself a minority
language, and had no superiority over others such
as Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Marathi, Bengali, Punjabi, Malayalam, As
samese and Gujarati all of which had a longer history and greater
body of literature, the commission still foresaw Hindi as eventually
replacing English as the means by which every Indian state may
participate in the federal functions.
4. • First language: It will be the mother tongue or
regional language.
• Second language: In Hindi speaking states, it will be
other modern Indian languages or English. In non-
Hindi speaking states, it will be Hindi or English.
• Third Language: In Hindi speaking states, it will be
English or a modern Indian language. In the non-
Hindi speaking state, it will be English or a modern
Indian language.
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¡Hola!
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THREE LANGUAGE FORMULA
5. ● Need for three-language formula
• The committee’s report observes that learning languages are an important
part of a child’s cognitive development.
• The primary aim is to promote multilingualism and national harmony.
• Career opportunities: Proficiency in multiple languages can enhance career
prospects and open up more opportunities in a multilingual country like
India.
• Cultural exchange and understanding
• Educational benefits: Studies have shown that learning multiple languages
has cognitive benefits, including improved memory, problem-solving skills,
and overall brain function.
6. ● Issue in implementation
• The states like Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Tripura were
not ready to teach Hindi and Hindi-speaking states did
not include any south Indian language in their school
curriculum.
• State governments often do not have adequate
resources to implement the three –language formula.
• The inadequacy of resources is perhaps the most
important aspect of the challenge.
7. Constitutional provisions
• Article 29 of the Constitution of India protects the interests of minorities. The
Article states that any section of the citizens who have a “…distinct language,
script or culture of its own shall have the right to conserve the same.”
• Article 343 is about the official language of the Union of India. According to
this Article, it is to be Hindi in Devnagri script, and numerals should follow
the international form of Indian numerals. This Article also states that English
will continue to be used as an official language for 15 years from the
commencement of the Constitution.
• Article 346 is about the official language for communication between the
states and between a state and the Union. The Article states that the
“authorised” language will be used. However, if two or more states agree that
their communications shall be in Hindi, then Hindi may be used.
8. Constitutional provisions
• Article 347 gives the President the power to recognise a language as an official
language of a given state, provided that the President is satisfied that a substantial
proportion of that state desires that the language be recognised. Such recognition can
be for a part of the state or the whole state.
• Article 350A facilities for instruction in mother-tongue at the primary stage.
• Article 350B provides for the establishment of a Special Officer for linguistic
minorities. The Officer shall be appointed by the President and shall investigate all
matters relating to the safeguards for linguistic minorities, reporting directly to the
President. The President may then place the reports before each house of the
Parliament or send them to the governments of the states concerned.
9. Constitutional provisions
• Article 351 gives power to the union government to issue a
directive for development of the Hindi language.
• Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India contains a list
of 22 languages recognised schedule languages.